DEVICE FOR CONNECTING PROTHESIS COMPONENTS TO A PROTHESIS SHAFT

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for connecting prosthesis components (10) to a prosthesis socket (1) to which a connecting element (6) is associated, which connecting element is clamped against a proximally disposed and rotatably mounted counterpart-plate (15) and to which the prosthesis components (10) can be connected at least indirectly. In such devices the problem arises that, for example in the proximal joint of a leg stump, because of a muscular imbalance due to adduction or abduction of the stump on one side, considerable deviations from the natural position of the limb occur, such that also the position of the tip of a stump, both in the sagittal plane and in the frontal plane can deviate from the perpendicular (9) which is relevant for the structural analysis of a prosthesis. In order to nevertheless be able to construct a prosthesis along said perpendicular, according to the invention the connecting element (6) has a coupling element (11) mounted on a support (12, 17, 18) which extends substantially parallel to the central axis (8) of the prosthesis socket (1) in a plane (42) and is rotatable about said central axis (8). The distance between the coupling element (11) and the central axis (8) is adjustable, wherein the coupling element (11) is rotatable and lockable with respect to the support (12, 17, 18) on a second axis (41) extending substantially normal to the central axis (8) of the prosthesis socket (1). The prosthesis component (10) is mounted on the coupling element (10) and is rotatable and lockable about a third axis (9) normal to the second axis (42).

Claims

1. A device for attaching a prosthesis component (10) to a prosthesis socket (1), comprising an attachment element (6) on the prosthesis socket (1) via which the prosthesis component (10) is couplable to the prosthesis socket, wherein the attachment element (6) is connected to a coupling element (11) via a support (12, 17, 18) and the prosthesis component (10) is mounted on the coupling element (11), the support (12, 17, 18) lies substantially in a plane (42) extending parallel to a central axis (8) of the prosthesis socket (1) and is rotatable about said central axis (8), and a distance between the coupling element (11) and the central axis (8) is adjustable, the coupling element (11) is tiltable and lockable with respect to the support (12, 17, 18) on a second axis (41) extending substantially normal to the plane (42) in which the support (12, 17, 18) lies, and the prosthesis component (10) mounted on the coupling element (11) is rotatable and lockable about a third axis (9) extending normal to the second axis.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the attachment element (6) is mounted on the prosthesis socket (1) so as to be rotatable and lockable with respect to the central axis (8).

3. The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein prosthesis functional parts (4) including at least one of locks, valves or pull-in elements are mounted in the attachment element (6) and are entrained with a rotation of the attachment element (6).

4. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support is configured as a flat plate element (12).

5. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support is configured as a profile (22).

6. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support is formed of two plate components (36) which are secured laterally on the attachment element (6) and which extend flat and are substantially parallel to the central axis (8) of the prosthesis socket (1).

7. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support (12) has a portion (18) which extends substantially along an outer surface of the prosthesis socket (1) and which, at a proximal end, comes to bear on the prosthesis socket.

8. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein blind holes or through-holes (14) are provided on the support (12) to secure the coupling element (11).

9. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coupling element (11) is formed of two pivotable clamping devices (25) which are spaced apart from each other and receive a tube (28) of a prosthesis component.

10. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coupling element (11) is formed of a plate with two mutually pivotable connectors (30, 33) and is equipped with a pyramid receiver (34).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] Further advantages and features of the invention will become clear from the following description of illustrative embodiments. In the drawings:

[0049] FIG. 1 shows the side view of a device with a plate-like support,

[0050] FIG. 2 shows the rear view of a device according to FIG. 1,

[0051] FIG. 3 shows the side view of an embodiment with an alternative plate-like support,

[0052] FIG. 4 shows the side view of a device with a profile-like support,

[0053] FIG. 5 shows the schematic representation of a coupling element with two clamping devices at a distance from each other, FIG. 5A is a top view of the clamping device, and

[0054] FIG. 6 shows the side view of a coupling element with two axles for a low overall height.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0055] A prosthesis socket with prosthesis components attached thereto is shown in FIG. 1 in a schematic side view.

[0056] A prosthesis socket 1 can be seen which, in the example shown here, is adapted in terms of its shape to a thigh stump.

[0057] This prosthesis socket 1 has a wall 2 enclosing the thigh stump and, at its distal end 3, here the bottom end, is equipped with a holding device 4 as a prosthesis function part. This holding device 4 allows a user of the prosthesis to secure the prosthesis socket firmly on the associated body part, i.e. in the present case on a thigh stump. For this purpose, the thigh stump is covered with a liner in the form of a stocking which is made of silicone, for example, and which, at its distal end has a pin 5, for example, which is locked in the holding device 4 and thereby fixed.

[0058] The holding device 4 is mounted inside an attachment element 6, which is mounted rotatably at the distal end 3 of the prosthesis socket 1. The holding device 4 and the attachment element 6 are rotatable together.

[0059] In each rotation position, the holding device 4 can be actuated by the user of the prosthesis by an element 7, such that the connection of liner and holding device can be released.

[0060] It will be seen in FIG. 1 that the central axis 8 of the prosthesis socket 1 is inclined with respect to an ideal line 9 extending substantially vertically from the schematically symbolized hip joint 35. Thus, the tip of the prosthesis socket also does not lie on this ideal line. The deviation of the tip is induced by mal-positioning in the hip joint on account of the muscular adduction and/or abduction of the thigh stump, specifically in the sagittal plane and also in the frontal plane.

[0061] This ideal line 9 corresponds to the theoretical plumb line which is naturally present in a complete limb and which, in the case of a leg for example, runs through the hip joint, knee joint and ankle joint.

[0062] Since the distal end 3 of the prosthesis socket 1 does not lie on this ideal line 9, it is necessary to bridge the distance by which the distal end deviates from a position on said ideal line 9. The specific aim is to allow a prosthesis component 10 mounted on the distal end 3 of the prosthesis socket 1 to be arranged as close as possible to the ideal line 9.

[0063] In order to bridge the distance, the example shown in FIG. 1 is provided with a coupling element 11, by which the prosthesis component 10 is coupled to the prosthesis socket 1, wherein the coupling element 11 sits on a support 12.

[0064] The support 12 lies substantially in a plane in which the central axis 8 of the prosthesis socket also lies, or parallel to this plane. The support 12 thus extends substantially parallel to the central axis 8 of the prosthesis socket 1. In the example shown here, this plane lies in or parallel to the drawing plane.

[0065] In the example shown here, the support 12 is secured laterally on the attachment element 6 at the distal end 3 of the prosthesis socket 1, such that it is rotatable with the attachment element 6 about the central axis 8 relative to the prosthesis socket. The aim of this is to allow the ideal line 9 and the central axis 8 to lie in one plane. Short and, in particular, direct support paths are thus achieved.

[0066] In the example shown here, the attachment element 6 is secured on the prosthesis socket 1 or on the prosthesis socket wall 2 by the latter being clamped between the attachment element 6 and a counterpart 15, which bears internally on the prosthesis socket 1, via tensioning elements 16 in the form of screws. After the tensioning elements 16 have been loosened, the attachment element 6 can be rotated if necessary, in particular also together with the counterpart 15, and is then once again to be fixed to the wall 2 in a manner secure against rotation by the tensioning elements 16 being tightened.

[0067] For connecting the support 12 to the attachment element 6 in a rotationally fixed manner, the support 12 is secured laterally on the attachment element 6 via two oblong holes or offset holes 13.

[0068] The coupling element 11 is in turn secured on the support 12 via two of several through-holes or blind holes 14.

[0069] The distance of the coupling element 11 from the attachment element 6 and thus from the central axis 8 can be adjusted via the holes 13 or through the choice of a matching pair of though-holes or blind holes 14. The coupling element is thus moved substantially within the abovementioned plane, which here extends parallel to the drawing plane.

[0070] In addition, however, the angle position of the coupling element 11 can also be modified, such that the latter is adjustable about an axis 41. This axis 41 is normal to the plane defined by the support 12.

[0071] In order to secure the prosthesis component 10 to the coupling element 11, it has at its proximal end, as can be seen from FIG. 6, a conical polygon 37 that is inserted into a receiving bore 38 on the coupling element 11. Inside this receiving bore 38, the conical polygon 37 is then fixed by a plurality of substantially radially oriented clamping screws 39. The clamping screws 39, which are also designed in particular as set screws, have an inclination such that the prosthesis component 10 is pulled with its conical polygon 37 into the receiving bore and is thus connected firmly to the coupling element 11.

[0072] In the example shown in FIG. 1, the support 12 is designed as a plate-shaped and therefore substantially flat component. It has a portion 17 in the area of the distal end 3, which is connected to the attachment element 6, and a portion 18, which extends substantially along the wall 2 of the prosthesis socket 1 in the proximal direction thereof. At its proximal end, this portion 18 is coupled by a screw union 19 with an element 20 onto a fixing band 21 extending around the prosthesis socket.

[0073] It will be seen from FIG. 2 that the element 20 is a tensioning element via which the fixing band 21 is drawn taut around the wall 2 of the prosthesis socket 1, such that it forms a securing element for the portion 18, which thus engages laterally on the wall 2 of the prosthesis socket 1.

[0074] It will also be seen in particular from FIG. 2 that the support 12 is formed of two parallel plates 36 between which there lie the attachment element 6 and the coupling element 11, the latter in this example having two clamping elements 25. A tube 28, whose function is explained in more detail below, is held and clamped by the clamping elements 25. The two clamping elements 25 lie parallel to the axis 41 about which the coupling element is pivotable.

[0075] In the area where the two portions 17 and 18 meet as shown in FIG. 1, the support 12 is provided with the multiplicity of holes 14 discussed above, which are used to receive the coupling element 11.

[0076] As the coupling element 11 is secured on the support 12 by way of these holes 14, it is pivotable about a second axis 41 (lying normal to the drawing plane) which here extends perpendicularly with respect to the central axis 8 of the prosthesis socket 1. The central axis 8 thus lies in the plane 42 in which, or parallel to which, the support 12 lies, and within which the coupling element 11 is therefore tiltable. In the coupling element 11 itself, a third axis is defined (which in turn lies in the drawing plane) about which the prosthesis component 10 can then be rotated. This third axis again extends perpendicularly with respect to said second axis and ideally with the ideal line 9. It is therefore designated by reference sign 9.

[0077] As has been mentioned, said holes 14 are arranged substantially like a grid, thus affording the possibility that the coupling element 11, via which a prosthesis component 10 is secured on the support 12, can be secured in this area at any desired location lying as close as possible to the ideal line 9 discussed above. In this way, the prosthesis component 10 attached to the prosthesis socket 1 can be arranged on the ideal line 9, and the user of such a prosthesis can thus achieve a pattern of movement that is as natural as possible.

[0078] As has been explained, it will be seen from FIG. 2 that the support 12 is formed of two plate-like components which extend parallel to each other and are of substantially identical form, and between which the attachment element 6 and also the coupling element 11 are then secured. The two components 36 of identical form, which thus form the support 12, are then arranged to both sides of the plane extending through the central axis 8 and are mounted to the left and right, respectively, onto the attachment element 6 at the distal end 3 of the prosthesis socket 1.

[0079] FIG. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of a support 12.

[0080] It will be seen here that the inclined setting of the prosthesis socket 1, and therefore the deviation of the prosthesis tip from the desired ideal line 9, is less than in the embodiment according to FIG. 1. In the support 12, therefore, it is possible to dispense with the portion 18 which extends along the outer wall of the prosthesis socket 1 and permits further support at the proximal end thereof. Therefore, the holes 14 with which the coupling element is connected via the clamping elements 25 to the support 12, and via the latter to the attachment element 6, can be arranged closer to said attachment element 6. However, in this case too, the distance of the coupling element 11 from the attachment element 6 can be modified both in the axial direction and also in the radial direction.

[0081] In the area in which the supports 12 are secured on the attachment element 6, the holes provided for this purpose are designed as oblong holes 13, such that the support 12 is also displaceable in its position relative to the attachment element 6, and, furthermore, the securing holes 14 for the coupling element are arranged in groups next to each other, such that, in this case too, the adjustability of the coupling element can be achieved through the choice of suitable holes 14.

[0082] FIG. 4 shows a further alternative embodiment of a support. In this embodiment, the support 22 is formed in one piece from a curved sheet of metal or a curved profile bar, and the attachment element 11 sits on this support 22 and, if necessary, can be moved along the latter.

[0083] In this embodiment also, the support 22 is designed with a contour extending at least in part along the outer wall of the prosthesis socket, and the corresponding portion 23 is coupled to the wall 2 of the prosthesis socket 1 via a bracket 24 on a fixing strap 21 and is thereby connectable to the prosthesis socket 1.

[0084] FIG. 5 shows a special coupling element. The latter is formed of two clamping devices 25, as are shown in the plan view in FIG. 5A. Such a clamping device 25 has a through-opening 26, of which the circumference can be reduced by the pulling-together of two cheeks 27, and a tube 28 inserted in the through-opening 26 can thereby be securely clamped.

[0085] Prosthesis components are provided with such a tube in their attachment area, such that a prosthesis component can be secured to the coupling element 11 via this tube 28 and thereby secured on the attachment element 6 of the prosthesis socket.

[0086] The inclination of the tube 28 with respect to the support 12 can be determined by the choice of the matching through-holes or blind holes 14, as can be seen in a possible variant in FIG. 3.

[0087] As can be seen in FIG. 5, the clamping devices 25 are at a distance 29 from each other, such that the tube 28 is held at two points clearly spaced apart from each other. A corresponding stability can thus be achieved, which is important for the attachment of prosthesis components to the prosthesis socket.

[0088] Eccentric pieces 30, which can be rotated in the through-holes or blind holes 14 discussed above, are moreover inserted into the cheeks 27. By way of this rotation of the eccentric pieces 30, the axis 40 extending through securing pins 31 on the eccentric pieces 30 is changed in terms of its inclination with respect to the central axis 32 of the held tube 28, as a result of which, ultimately, the attachment angle for the tube 28 can be set with respect to the support 12.

[0089] Thus, the rough angle position of the central axis 32 or of the tube 28 is effected through the choice of the pair of holes 14 on the support 12 that receive the eccentrics 30, and the fine adjustment is then effected by rotation of the eccentrics 30.

[0090] In an alternative embodiment, order to avoid unwanted strain between two eccentric adjustments, an oblong hole 33 can be provided in the clamping device 25, with a combination of an eccentric 30 and of an oblong hole 33 also being possible.

[0091] The central axis of the tube 28 is the above-discussed third axis about which the tube 28, and thus the prosthesis component 10 supported by the latter, can be brought to any desired rotation position within the cheeks 27 and can then be fixed by the cheeks 27 being brought together.

[0092] FIG. 6 shows a variant of an inclinable coupling element 11 which has a low overall height. It shows once again the combination of an oblong hole 33 and of an eccentric 30 in connection with a rotatably mounted pyramid receiver 34, wherein a modified distance, caused by rotation of the eccentrics, between the elements guided through these holes can be compensated by the oblong hole 33 when the distance between the receiving holes 14 on the support plates 12 is at the same time unchanged. The pyramid receiver 34 is thus likewise clamped inside the coupling element via two cheeks 27.

[0093] In the case of a prosthesis socket of the kind used for stumps with amputation near the joint, for example a knee exarticulation, this embodiment makes it possible to secure further prosthesis components with low overall height and in a stable and yet widely adjustable manner.

[0094] Since all of the devices described above are entirely without adhesive bonding, a prosthesis socket can remain directly on the stump for most adaptation work, as a result of which the adaptation of a prosthesis is considerably quicker and also more precise than with the previously known devices described in the introduction.

[0095] Therefore, with a device according to the invention, the position of the stump axis, and therefore the adapter position, can be very easily transferred with precision from a test prosthesis to the positive mold for a final prosthesis which is to be produced thereafter, this adapter allowing the static set-up to be transferred very precisely to the final prosthesis without additional work.

[0096] Whereas hitherto, in the production of a final prosthesis with an adhesively bonded attachment, it has been necessary for the latter to be covered with a second molding, which causes additional weight and makes subsequent readjustment impossible, the use of a device according to the invention does away with this work. Moreover, in a prosthesis according to the invention, the mal-positioning of a stump, which changes over the course of use of this prosthesis, can be readjusted at any time.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0097] 1 prosthesis socket [0098] 2 wall [0099] 3 distal end [0100] 4 holding device [0101] 5 connection element linerlock [0102] 6 attachment element [0103] 7 operating element for lock [0104] 8 central axis [0105] 9 ideal line [0106] 9 third axis [0107] 10 prosthesis component [0108] 11 coupling element [0109] 12 support [0110] 13 oblong holes/row of holes [0111] 14 holes on the support 12 [0112] 15 inner counterpart plate [0113] 16 tensioning element [0114] 17 distal portion [0115] 18 proximal portion [0116] 19 screw union [0117] 20 tensioning element [0118] 21 fixing band [0119] 22 support [0120] 23 proximal portion [0121] 24 bracket [0122] 25 clamping device [0123] 26 through-opening [0124] 27 cheek [0125] 28 tube [0126] 29 distance [0127] 30 eccentric pieces [0128] 31 axle/securing pins [0129] 32 central axis [0130] 33 oblong hole [0131] 34 pyramid receiver [0132] 35 hip joint [0133] 36 plates [0134] 37 conical polygon [0135] 38 receiving bore [0136] 39 clamping screws [0137] 40 axis [0138] 41 second axis [0139] 42 plane